Golf Apparel & Accessories: The Asia/America Disparity - Part 2

A couple of weeks ago a lively Linkedin discussion broke out concerning global preferences in golf attire.  The topic was launched by Dennis Allen of Back Nine, the new multi-media golf lifestyle and entertainment network.

He posted this: "Golf fashion - is it boring in the USA or is it just me?" 

The thing is, Dennis has a unique perspective.  He's an American who majored in Japanese and International Business at the University of Washington, then spent 25 years in the sports industry.  Fluent in Japanese, he's traveled the globe in top positions with some of the world's most prominent golf manufacturers including TaylorMade-adidas, Acushnet and Bridgestone.   Well, there were numerous responses to the sartorial query.  They came from men and women involved with golf in a variety ways both here and in Asia... and indeed, most agreed that there IS less variety on US fairways, and on our golf retailer's shelves.

Some attributed this to customer preference, suggesting that, in general, Americans don't care much about dressing stylishly for golf and would often prefer not to make a statement with their golf apparel. Others feel that years of draconian, country club dress codes have created a culture of golfers unable to see beyond the most basic boxy, polo shirts and correspondingly shapeless kahkis.  It was also suggested that the US Market's preponderance of portly golfers... might be part of why there isn't more style on our courses.

Christina Thompson is another highly authoritative voice who weighed in on this subject.  She's the founder and owner of Golf4Her, one of this country's top on-line destinations for women's golf apparel and accessories.

Golf4Her features an expansive collection of the best pieces from dozens of the best women's golf wear brands, including many of the awesome independent brands that aren't often available at the big-box stores and country club shops.  It's all carefully curated by Christina herself, and with their stellar customer service, a great rewards program and an engaging social media presence, and it's no surprise that Golf4Her has customers from all over the world.

Christina posted some observations on international shopping styles: "Based on what we see every day, our European and Asian customers love the high-fashion styles, our customers here in the US are a little slower to take those risks"  She added that she sees that changing now, as fashion-forward golf styles are becoming more accessible to US golfers.  --->

Golf Apparel & Accessories: The Asia/America Disparity - Part 1

I've often marveled at the sheer variety of golf apparel and accessories available in Japan... not to mention the unabashed whimsicality of many their designs.   You may have seen my musings on the subject right here a time or two. Or ten.  

Well, once again I'm pondering the puzzle of Japan's disproportionate, golf-product plenty.  This time due to a online encounter with the item above.

It's a putting mat, and it's pink... and that probably seems implausible to many here in the US because... who would ever buy a pink putting mat?   Particularly one emblazoned with hearts and flowers, like the Women's Flat Putt L.

East/west cultural differences not withstanding, I think it's safe to assume that this product is targeted at a young, female market.  As would be most of the items featured here, and a seemingly endless number of similar sites.  Clearly, there are many dozens of Japanese companies large and small, targeting this particular golf demographic... each offering a plethora of product in a multitude of colors. 

The abundance isn't limited to the young ladies market either.  When it comes to golf stuff, men, women and juniors... avid and occasional golfers alike... all seem to be served with a dizzying array of options in Japan and remarkably, one notices that in addition the voluminous offerings of local companies, US companies like Callaway offer an impressive selection of products exclusively for Japan.

Here in the US, our choice of products just seems to substantially more limited than in Japan... and that's what I've always wondered about... because when you look the number of golfers in each country the disparity doesn't seem to make sense. What is it that makes the two markets so different?

With the game's increasingly global reach this is a timely topic, and a couple of weeks ago it inspired a lively LinkedIn chat I'll talk about later today tomorrow in Part 2 of Golf Apparel & Accessories: The Asia/America Disparity.

Read Part 2